Improvement in friction-clutches for extension-chandeliers



E. C. BRUEN.

Friction-Clutch for Extension Chandeliers.

Patented Sept. 21,1875.

w w W EDWIN O. BRUEN, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF ANDCHARLES T. BRUEN.

IMPROVEMENT IN FRICTION-CLUTCHES FOR EXTENSION-CHANDELIERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 167,984, datedSeptember 21, 1875; application filed August 28, 1875.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, EDWIN O. BRUEN, of

Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented anew and 1mproved Friction-Clutch for Extension-Ghandeliers, whichimprovement is fully set forth in the following specification, referencebeing bad to the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 represents aplan view of my clutch when the upper division of the shell is removed.Fig. 2 is a vertical central section I thereof in its complete form.

clamp arranged loosely in the shell, and in conjunction with anadjusting device for regu' lating the actiouof the clamp, the wholebeing arranged in such a manner that when the slide is moved upward,together with the chandelier, it carries up the clamp and the movementof they slide is unimpeded, while, by means of the adjusting device, theposition of the clamp can be so regulated that it prevents the slidefrom moving down by its own inherent gravity and that of the partsattached thereto.

In the drawing, the letter A designates the exterior shellof my clutch,which .part I prefer to make in two divisions and unite by screws a, orby any other suitable means. On the upper division of this shell A isformed a screw-thread, B, which serves to connect it to the maingas-pipe O of an extension-chandelier fixture; or, if seen fit, abayonet-joint or any other equivalent device may be used in lieu of thescrew-thread. D designates the slide of the extension-chandelier, havingthe form of a pipe, packed and arranged to slide in the main gas-pipe O,the slide passing also through the clutch, and to this end the shell Ahas openings E F on its 'top' and bottom ends-one of the openingscontaining a lift ing-screw, H, as hereinafter described.

The interior of the shell A is inclined or is made to taper or decreasein diameter toward the lower end, so that it has the form of an invertedtruncated cone, and to the said tapering interior of the shell is fitteda frictionclamp, G, which is divided into three (more or less) parts, asshown in Fig. 1. This frictionclamp G rests loosely in the shell A, andits interior surface is made tubular so as to surround thechandelier-slide D when the same is passed through the clamp. By theinherent gravity of the clamp it tends to fall to the bottom of theshell, and if an attempt is made to move the shell down, or if the slideis permitted to follow its inherent gravity, the clamp is caused towedge itself firmly against the same, and by these means the slide andthe chandelier which it supports is prevented from moving downward.

it is obvious that whenthe slide is moved upward it displaces andcarries with it the friction-clampG, and therefore the slide movesfreely upward.

With the clamp'G I have combined an adjusting device, H, which may beconstructed of a screw, as shown, or which may be made in the form of acam or lever or in any suitable form. By means of this adjusting deviceI regulate the power with which the clamp hugs the slide, so that, ifdesired, the slide can be drawn down by applying the proper force. Thispurpose is facilitated by interposing between the metallic surfaces ofthe clamp and of the slide a lining, c, of leather, flannel, or othersuitable material, whereby the clamp is kept from abrading and cuttingin the surface of the slide. If the sections of the clamp are made ofwood or other'soft material, the lining can be dispensed with. Theaction of the clamp on the slide D is insured by subjecting the clamp tothe action of the springs I, which are placed in sockets b in the top ofthe shell, and which have a tendency to press the clamp downward,

EN'I FFICE- The clamp G, instead of being made of wedge-shaped sections,may be constructed of oneor more balls or rollers, whichfit between theinner surface of the shell A and the slide D, and which are subjected toany suitable lifting or adjusting device.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- v Afriction-clutch for extension-chandeliers, constructed of a taperingshell, A, a friction-clamp, G, and of an adjusting device H,

the whole being combined and adapted to o'pcrate substantially asdescribed.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and. seal this 9th day ofAugust, 1875.

E. c. BRUEN. Ls

In presence of- GHAs. WAHLERS, J. VAN SANTVOORD.

